Switch mechanism for a multiple coil solenoid



Se t. 26, 1939. F. e. a. ARMSTRONG 2,174,433

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR A MULTIPLE COIL SOLENOID Filed May 23, 1938Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE SWITCH MECHANISM FORA MULTIPLE COIL SOLENOID Fullerton George Gordon Armstrong, Beverley,England 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a switch which is particularly adaptedfor use in the energizing of separate coils of a multiple coil solenoid.

The object of the invention is to provide a 5 switch mechanism with aplurality of contacting surfaces arranged in pairs wherein a pair ofcontacts is connected with each coil of the solenoid so that either ofthe contacts may be utilized for energising the coil with which it isassociated. The invention lends itself particularly to the control of asolenoid which is connected to a lever or other setting element of ashock absorber for varying the position of said lever so as to in turnvary the degree of resistance to IE movement of the shock absorberparts. When the invention is applied to shock absorbers for vehicles,the switch may be located in the region of the dashboard or steeringgear of the vehicle and, on operation, is adapted to automatically 5,0vary the setting of each or all of the shock absorbers utilized fordamping relative displacement between the body or chassis of the vehicleand each or all of the wheels thereof.

The invention is more particularly described 5 with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in

which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the switch, whilst,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on a still further enlarged scale of aswitch contact.

A shock absorber l of the hydraulic, friction or any other suitable typeand provided with the usual lever 2 for setting the degree of resistance35 to diplacement of the movable element of the shock absorber isconnected, according to the present invention, by means of a link or thelike 3 with the armature 4 of a solenoid, the field of which comprises aplurality of coils 5, 6, l in 40 circuit with a battery 8, which can bethe usual car battery.

At a remote point and conveniently on the dash board of the automobilevehicle, a switch lever 9 is provided and this switch lever is adaptedto sweep over contacts H), II, l2 in order to complete the circuit ofthe coils 5, 6, l respectively.

The switch may include a spring plunger l3 5 having a prismatic edgeadapted to engage with a notch or socket I 4 symmetrically disposedbetween two contact pieces l5, I6, on each switch contact and normallyinsulated therefrom.

It will consequently be seen that, when the switch arm 9 is displaced,one surface or other of the prismatic it will engage either with thecontact surface H5 or the contact surface IE5 or any one or other of thecontacts III, II, I2 respectively, to complete the circuit through oneof the coils 5, 6, l and thus cause the displacement of the armature 4and the setting lever 2 into a fresh position of adjustment.

It will be noticed that, by reason of the fact that the prismatic end l3of the switch arm normally rests within the notch M of insulatedmaterial, there will not be any continued drain on the battery 8 butthat immediately the switch is moved, a contact will be closed tooperate the device.

I declare that what I claim is:

A switch mechanism for energizing separate coils of a multiple coilsolenoid, comprising a plurality of contacting surfaces arranged inpairs, one pair of said contacting surfaces for each coil 30 of thesolenoid, a notched insulating socket between the contacting surfaces ofeach pair, a displaceable switch lever, and a resiliently pressedcontact element carried by said lever and normally held within the notchin said insulating 35 socket out of contact with the adjacent contactingsurfaces, said contact element being displaceable upon movement of saidswitch lever into electrically conducting engagement with either of saidcontacting surfaces one at a time.

FULLERTON GEORGE GORDON ARMSTRONG.

